They are the Nervous Nine, Winnipeg Jets players without contracts or restrictions on their movement for next season.

They could wind up back here, somewhere else -- or unemployed.

One of them, forward Antti Miettinen, has all but ruled out the first possibility, after a second straight frustrating season in Jets colours.

"Right off the bat, I wouldn't assume so," the 32-year-old Finn said, Friday, of returning. "It was a couple of years of underachieving, so I would not expect that."

Miettinen had an interesting take on his time with the Jets, who claimed him off waivers from Tampa Bay in December, 2011.

"There was a lot of excitement and hope and struggle -- it was just like a roller-coaster for a lot of individuals and for the team," he said. "These two years have been really uneven, performance-wise."

Miettinen says he's never seen anything like it in his 10-year North American pro career.

"The team, me included -- first in line -- I haven't seen that much players playing under their level, underachieving," he said. "I don't want to start thinking about the reasons for that. That's just what I feel."

Other soon-to-be unrestricted free agents who didn't live up to expectations include Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood.

Both said they'd like to return for a third season.

"You start to grow in an organization, it's always difficult to part ways," Wellwood said. "It's the easiest thing to come back."

Wellwood finished with six goals, nine assists, before his season was cut short by a broken hand.

"I wasn't happy with the start," Wellwood said. "I finished strong, so I wish I didn't get hurt for the two most important games -- and the season was longer."

Defenceman Derek Meech wishes it was longer, too.

Meech never did solidify a spot on the Jets blue line, and would like nothing better than to do it in his home town.

"It just depends on what they're thinking," the 29-year-old said. "I've got to weigh my options and make the best decision for me and my family. I'd love to be back in Winnipeg. I tried to prove I can play in the league."

A factor in his decision will be what role teams see him in.

"I've been a depth guy my whole career. But that gets old after a while," Meech said. "You want to be in the lineup every night."

Ron Hainsey and Grant Clitsome are the other UFA defencemen, Mike Santorelli and Aagon Gagnon the other forwards, along with goalie Al Montoya.

Sponsored Links

Up in the air

They are the Nervous Nine, Winnipeg Jets players without contracts or restrictions on their movement for next season.

They could wind up back here, somewhere else -- or unemployed.

One of them, forward Antti Miettinen, has all but ruled out the first possibility, after a second straight frustrating season in Jets colours.

"Right off the bat, I wouldn't assume so," the 32-year-old Finn said, Friday, of returning. "It was a couple of years of underachieving, so I would not expect that."

Miettinen had an interesting take on his time with the Jets, who claimed him off waivers from Tampa Bay in December, 2011.

"There was a lot of excitement and hope and struggle -- it was just like a roller-coaster for a lot of individuals and for the team," he said. "These two years have been really uneven, performance-wise."

Miettinen says he's never seen anything like it in his 10-year North American pro career.